The Solar Maverick Podcast is the insiders guide to where the solar and energy markets meet entrepreneurship and trailblazing. Hosted by Benoy Thanjan - a serial entrepreneur and founder of Reneu Energy
Episodes
6 days ago
6 days ago
Episode Notes
In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan sits down with Jarand Rystad, Founder and CEO of Rystad Energy, one of the world’s leading energy intelligence and data advisory firms.
Jarand explains why solar has dramatically outperformed historical forecasts, how rapid cost declines have reshaped global power markets, and why many regions are now facing a new challenge: too much solar at the wrong times. As grids become saturated with midday generation, energy storage has emerged as the critical missing link.
The conversation explores why the next five years will belong to energy storage, how batteries enable higher renewable penetration, and what this shift means for pricing, grid stability, and project economics. Jarand also shares insights on powering the AI and data center boom, the evolving role of gas and nuclear, long-duration storage innovations, and why electrification is fundamentally transforming the global energy system.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand where the energy transition is headed, how markets are behaving beneath the headlines, and where the biggest opportunities will emerge over the next decade.
Biographies
Benoy Thanjan
Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions.
Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla’s Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market.
As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable portfolio.
Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund.
Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar.
Jarand Rystad
Jarand Rystad founded Rystad Energy in 2004 and has, since its inception, managed the company. Jarand has extensive experience in the energy strategy advisory business and his areas of expertise include energy system analysis, energy scenarios, renewables, supply chains, emissions, asset and company valuations and transactions, macro analysis, and all aspects of the energy transition. As an established thought leader in these and other fields, Jarand is a frequent keynote speaker at international conferences related to energy. He is, according to the Financial Times, “one of the most cited petroleum analysts in the industry”.
Prior to founding Rystad Energy, Jarand worked for McKinsey & Company. He holds an M.Sc. degree in Physics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, where he majored with a thesis in asteroseismology. Jarand also has an academic background in philosophy and has been the leader and founder of various organizations.
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com/
Jarand Rystad
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarand-rystad/
Email: jarand@rystadenergy.com
Website: https://www.rystadenergy.com/
Rystad Energy’s Podcast: https://www.rystadenergy.com/podcasts?s=
Please provide 5 star reviews
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Reneu Energy
Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. Our team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities in community solar, C&I, utility-scale, and renewable energy credit markets.
Email us at info@reneuenergy.com to learn more.
Tuesday Dec 30, 2025
Tuesday Dec 30, 2025
Episode Notes
On this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan sits down with Jing Tian, Chief Growth & Revenue Officer at Tigo Energy, to explore how smarter electronics, AI, and energy intelligence are reshaping the solar industry.
Jing shares her journey from a PhD in chemistry to becoming a global solar executive, including leadership roles across Asia and the U.S. She breaks down how module-level power electronics (MLPE) improve safety, flexibility, and performance in residential, C&I, and utility-scale solar and why MLPE is becoming foundational as solar converges with storage, software, and grid services.
The conversation also dives into rapid shutdown requirements, AI-powered monitoring, and how predictive analytics can reduce O&M costs while improving system reliability. Jing closes with thoughtful advice for emerging leaders, women in clean energy, and anyone navigating the “solar coaster.”
Notable Takeaways
* MLPE enables safer, smarter, and more flexible solar system design
* Small performance gains at the module level can create massive impact at scale
* AI-driven monitoring turns raw data into actionable insights
* Innovation must solve real customer pain points, not just advance technology
* Strong leadership requires adaptability, clear communication, and cultural awareness
Biographies
Benoy Thanjan
Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions.
Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla’s Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market.
As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable portfolio.
Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund.
Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar.
Jing Tian
CHIEF GROWTH AND REVENUE OFFICER
Jing is responsible for leading Tigo's strategic growth initiatives, driving revenue generation, and scaling the business worldwide. Jing has a 25+ years of proven track record of technical and business success at companies like Credence, Solfocus, Shift Energy, and Trina Solar. For the past decades, she has focused on the profitable growth of equipment manufacturers across the solar ecosystem as well as solar project financing and development. While serving as Head of Global Marketing and President of Trina Solar USA, she launched the TrinaSmart Module in collaboration with Tigo.
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com/
Jing Tian
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jing-tian/
Tigo Energy: https://www.tigoenergy.com/
Please provide 5 star reviews
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Reneu Energy
Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. Our team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities in community solar, C&I, utility-scale, and renewable energy credit markets.
Email us at info@reneuenergy.com to learn more.
Tuesday Dec 23, 2025
Tuesday Dec 23, 2025
In episode 40 of The League, Benoy Thanjan (The Solar Maverick) and David Magid break down why the solar market is undergoing a fundamental repricing of risk.
Distributed generation platforms are coming to market as large players recycle capital and reset return expectations. At the same time, land is emerging as a major bottleneck. Costs are rising, competition is intensifying, and traditional land-option strategies no longer work. Layer in permitting delays and growing uncertainty, and risk is now being priced earlier and more aggressively across solar development.
The takeaway: solar fundamentals remain strong, but success in the next phase will depend on securing land early, managing permitting risk, and adapting capital strategies to a changing market.
Host Bio: Benoy Thanjan
Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions.
Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla’s Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market.
As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable portfolio.
Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund.
Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar.
Connect with Benoy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benoythanjan/
Learn more: https://reneuenergy.com
https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com
Host Bio: David Magid
David Magid is a seasoned renewable energy executive with deep expertise in solar development, financing, and operations. He has worked across the clean energy value chain, leading teams that deliver distributed generation and community solar projects. David is widely recognized for his strategic insights on interconnection, market economics, and policy trends shaping the U.S. solar industry.
Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmagid/
If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at info@reneuenergy.com.
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan sits down with Dr. Hunter McDaniel, CEO of UbiQD, a quantum materials company redefining how light interacts with solar technology.
Hunter breaks down quantum dots and explains how this nanotechnology can dramatically improve solar performance by optimizing the light spectrum. The conversation dives deep into UbiQD’s landmark supply agreement with First Solar, including how quantum dots can significantly boost bifacial solar efficiency, especially for thin-film modules.
The episode also explores broader applications of quantum dots from building-integrated photovoltaics, solar windows, to agriculture and offers hard earned advice for clean-tech and deep-tech entrepreneurs navigating long commercialization cycles.
Key Topics Covered
- What quantum dots are and why they matter for solar
- How nanotechnology enables light optimization and higher PV efficiency
- Inside UbiQD’s strategic partnership with First Solar
- Improving bifacial performance in thin-film solar modules
- Why materials innovation gives U.S. solar a competitive edge
- Solar windows, BIPV, and the future of net-zero buildings
- Lessons from building a deep-tech energy startup over 10+ years
- Why entrepreneurs should focus on solving pain points, not just technology
Notable Takeaways
- Quantum dots allow precise tuning of light to match a solar cell’s most efficient spectrum
- Small efficiency gains in solar can translate into massive real-world impact at scale
- Bifacial solar performance represents one of the biggest remaining efficiency frontiers
- Building-integrated solar may be essential for dense, urban, high-rise environments
- Deep-tech founders must stay customer-focused and resilient through long timelines
Biographies
Benoy Thanjan
Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions.
Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla’s Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market.
As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable portfolio.
Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund.
Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar.
Dr. Hunter McDaniel
Dr. Hunter McDaniel is the CEO and Co-Founder of UbiQD, a quantum dot materials company focused on transforming energy, agriculture, and advanced materials through nanotechnology. He holds a PhD in Materials Science and previously conducted research at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Under his leadership, UbiQD has partnered with industry leaders like First Solar and continues to scale next-generation quantum dot manufacturing.
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com/
Dr. Hunter McDaniel
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunter-mcdaniel-4563a735/
UbiQD: https://www.ubiqd.com
UbiGro (Agriculture): https://www.ubigro.com
TED Talk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ4whsRZoN4
Press Release
UbiQD and First Solar Establish Long-Term Quantum Dot Supply Agreement
Please provide 5 star reviews
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Reneu Energy
Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. Our team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities in community solar, C&I, utility-scale, and renewable energy credit markets.
Email us at info@reneuenergy.com to learn more.
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
Episode Summary:
Benoy sits down with MyWorkerAI founder William Szamosszegi to talk about how an “AI sales team as a service” can automate research, outreach, and lead generation for founders and renewable energy companies. They also dive into AI’s impact on the solar industry, personal branding, and the mindset tools entrepreneurs need to win in an AI-driven world.
Biographies
Benoy Thanjan
Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions.
Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla’s Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market.
As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable portfolio.
Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund.
Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar.
William Szamosszegi
William Szamosszegi is the Founder and CEO of MyWorkerAI, an AI-driven platform that functions as an “AI sales team as a service,” helping founders and businesses automate research, personalization, and outreach to scale relationships and accelerate growth.
Before launching MyWorkerAI, William founded Sazmining, a renewable-energy-powered bitcoin mining company where he helped pioneer sustainable mining operations and later brought in a new CEO, thanks to a connection from the Solar Maverick Podcast. With nearly a decade of experience building technology startups, William is deeply focused on leveraging AI to eliminate manual bottlenecks and empower high-agency teams.
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com
William Szamosszegi
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamszamosszegi/
Website: https://myworker.ai/
Email: will@myworker.ai
Please provide 5 star reviews
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Reneu Energy
Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. Our team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities in community solar, C&I, utility-scale, and renewable energy credit markets.
Email us at info@reneuenergy.com to learn more.
Link to book from Dr. Joe Dispenza
Mark Divine Unbeatable Seal Fit
Sunday Dec 07, 2025
Sunday Dec 07, 2025
In episode 39 of The League, David Magid and Benoy Thanjan break down the latest developments reshaping the clean-energy market. They cover the Pine Gate Renewables bankruptcy, the push for new U.S. restrictions on Chinese solar and grid equipment, and the detention of Qcells shipments under UFLPA. David also highlights Section 232 tariff impacts and Google DeepMind’s new GenCast AI weather-forecasting model.
Host Bio: Benoy Thanjan
Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions.
Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla’s Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market.
As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable portfolio.
Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund.
Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar.
Connect with Benoy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benoythanjan/
Learn more: https://reneuenergy.com
https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com
Host Bio: David Magid
David Magid is a seasoned renewable energy executive with deep expertise in solar development, financing, and operations. He has worked across the clean energy value chain, leading teams that deliver distributed generation and community solar projects. David is widely recognized for his strategic insights on interconnection, market economics, and policy trends shaping the U.S. solar industry.
Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmagid/
If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at info@reneuenergy.com.
Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy sits down with Rob Sternthal, Managing Director at Expedition Infrastructure Partners, to break down how investors evaluate solar platforms and development pipelines. Rob brings more than 20 years of experience in investment banking, tax equity, structured finance, and renewable energy, and he explains the real criteria that determine platform value today.
Benoy and Rob discuss why platforms are being repriced, how rising SG&A and longer development timelines are reshaping exits, and what investors are prioritizing in the current market. They also cover the Pine Gate bankruptcy, the renewed shift toward “develop and flip,” battery economics, tax credit insurance constraints, FEOC uncertainty, and the wave of distress expected to define the industry over the next two to three years.
Biographies
Benoy Thanjan
Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions.
Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla’s Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market.
As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable portfolio.
Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund.
Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar.
Rob Sternthal
For the last 20+ years, Rob has been a leading investment banking executive and recognized platform builder across the renewable power, energy, ESG and real assets sectors, advising on more than $25 billion of transactions. Prior to joining XIP, Rob was a Managing Director focusing on renewable power at Piper Sandler. Before that, Rob was responsible for building platforms at Rubicon Capital Advisors as well as CohnReznick (now CRC-IB). He founded and built CohnReznick’s Capital Markets group (CRC) into a market-leader over ten years, completing nearly $20 billion in transactions and managing a team of 30 professionals.
Prior to CRC, Rob established and led multiple real estate and asset-backed securities practices for Credit Suisse in the United States as well as internationally. He began his career as an attorney for the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission as well as in private practice at Milbank. Rob received a bachelor’s degree in economics and French, with honors, from Emory University and a Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from the Temple University School of Law. Rob is a Registered Representative of BA Securities, LLC. Member FINRA, SIPC.
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-sternthal-548b287/
Website: https://xipllc.com/
Email: Rob@xipllc.com
NPM Podcast related to XIP’s partnership with Gordian:
https://newprojectmedia.com/npm-interconnections-us-episode-172-rob-sternthal-peter-kauffman-xip-gordian/
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Join Us for the Winter Solstice Fundraiser!
I’m excited to invite you to our Winter Solstice Fundraiser, hosted by Reneu Energy and the Solar Maverick Podcast on Thursday, December 4th from 6–10 PM at Hudson Hall in Jersey City, NJ!
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/reneuenergy/1919391
This event brings together clean energy leaders, entrepreneurs, and friends to celebrate the season while raising funds for the Let’s Share the Sun Foundation, which installs solar and storage systems for families and communities in need in Puerto Rico.
We’ll have:
-Great food and drinks
-Amazing networking with solar and sustainability professionals
-Sports memorabilia auctions (with proceeds benefiting Let’s Share the Sun)
-An inspiring community focused on making an impact through solar energy
If you or your company would like to get involved as a sponsor, please message us at info@reneuenergy.com.
Reneu Energy
Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. Our team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities in community solar, C&I, utility-scale, and renewable energy credit markets.
Email us at info@reneuenergy.com to learn more.
Friday Nov 28, 2025
Friday Nov 28, 2025
Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan jumps to the other side of the mic with Kevin (“Kadro”) and Mike (“Higo”) from Climate Hive. They dig into the massive cost declines in solar and storage, why solar is a technology and not a fuel, and the impact of Let’s Share the Sun’s recent work in Puerto Rico. The conversation also explores how financing and innovation are accelerating clean energy adoption.
Biographies
Benoy Thanjan
Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions.
Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla’s Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market.
As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable portfolio.
Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund.
Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar.
Kevin Drolet
Founder and CEO of ClimateHive
Kevin Drolet is a certified marketing and sales expert with over 20 year experience in company growth strategies. He has worked with thousands of companies and managed over 100M in marketing campaigns. Highlights include developing a 4 year student recruitment campaign for UC San Diego elevating the school to the number 2 position in the UC system. He has led and taught hundreds of sales reps nationally in understanding and positioning marketing solutions and sales. His superpower is connector.
He founded KDRO Consulting, his second marketing agency, in 2019 to provide fractional CMO services, marketing and business development consultation and coaching programs for renewable energy and climate tech companies. Through storytelling and strategic networking he helps companies attain business opportunity, talent and investment. His mission is to enable climate innovators to become climate impactors.
Kevin and his wife Susan live in San Diego CA with their two dogs. Kevin is passionate about climate, learning, coaching and exploring the intersection of human behavior and positive climate impact.
Mike Higgins
Founder/Partner of ClimateHive
Mike Higgins has a 30-year track record of sales success and executive leadership in large companies and startups. He's known for developing customized sales strategies and automation to boost sales engagement, improving efficiency and revenue. His expertise lies in driving revenue growth through people, processes, and infrastructure.
Mike has founded 5 companies and sold 3, demonstrating his ability to build and scale businesses. He's experienced in leadership as the former Executive Vice President and COO of MediaNews Group Interactive, overseeing 50 regional markets and leading a 100+ staff in sales, operations, business development, finance, and IT.
Recently, Mike served as CoFounder and Chief Revenue Officer at Onemata Corporation and Managing Partner at BrushFire Sales and Top Funnel, working with clients like Time Warner Cable and Home Advisor. He has also held senior roles in MapQuest, Weatherlabs (acquired by Weather Channel/Landmark), Indigo Group (acquired by Bridgeline Digital NASDAQ: BLIN), and TruMeasure (acquired by McClatchy Corp).
Mike and his wife, Val, reside in the Rocky Mountain Empire, actively supporting the Colorado Pug Rescue and the Golden Retriever Rescue.
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com
Kevin Drolet
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-drolet-3625378/
Website: https://climatehive.co/
Email: kevin@climatehive.co
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelghiggins/
Website: https://climatehive.co/
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Join Us for the Winter Solstice Fundraiser!
I’m excited to invite you to our Winter Solstice Fundraiser, hosted by Reneu Energy and the Solar Maverick Podcast on Thursday, December 4th from 6–10 PM at Hudson Hall in Jersey City, NJ!
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/reneuenergy/1919391
This event brings together clean energy leaders, entrepreneurs, and friends to celebrate the season while raising funds for the Let’s Share the Sun Foundation, which installs solar and storage systems for families and communities in need in Puerto Rico.
We’ll have:
-Great food and drinks
-Amazing networking with solar and sustainability professionals
-Sports memorabilia auctions (with proceeds benefiting Let’s Share the Sun)
-An inspiring community focused on making an impact through solar energy
If you or your company would like to get involved as a sponsor, please message us at info@reneuenergy.com.
Reneu Energy
Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. Our team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities in community solar, C&I, utility-scale, and renewable energy credit markets.
Email us at info@reneuenergy.com to learn more.
Wednesday Nov 19, 2025
Wednesday Nov 19, 2025
In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan talks with Jon Semingson, President of Peak Demand, a leading recruitment firm focused on renewable energy and clean technology. Jon shares an inside look at how the intense growth of solar, storage and broader renewables is reshaping the talent market, what companies are doing right and wrong when hiring, and what candidates should focus on to stand out.
Benoy and Jon also dive into how recent policy changes and the “Big Beautiful Bill” landscape are influencing demand for specific skill sets, plus key takeaways from this year’s RE+ Las Vegas and what they signal about the future of the clean energy workforce.
What You’ll Learn In This Episode
- How Peak Demand became a go-to recruiting partner for solar, storage and clean energy companies
- The most in-demand roles in today’s renewable energy market
- How policy shifts and incentives are changing hiring needs across development, EPC, asset management and finance
- Compensation and hiring trends for 2025 and beyond
- How remote work, hybrid models and geographic flexibility are affecting recruiting strategies
- Common mistakes solar and storage companies make when trying to hire top talent
- Practical tips for candidates who want to break into or move up in the renewable energy industry
- Key themes Jon and Benoy saw at RE+ and what they reveal about where the industry is headed
- How founders and executives can build teams that scale with rapid growth and market volatility
Biographies
Benoy Thanjan
Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions.
Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla’s Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market.
As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable portfolio.
Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund.
Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar.
Jon Semingson
Jon Semingson is the President of Peak Demand, a recruitment firm specializing in renewable energy, clean technology and the broader energy transition. Peak Demand partners with developers, IPPs, EPCs, manufacturers and investors to help them hire top talent across leadership, commercial, technical and operational roles.
Peak Demand focuses on long-term partnerships, understanding both company culture and candidate motivations to build teams that can scale in a fast-moving, highly competitive market like solar and storage.
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com
Jon Semingson
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/solarrecruiter/
Website: https://peakdemandinc.com/
Email: jon@inpeakdemand.com
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Join Us for the Winter Solstice Fundraiser!
I’m excited to invite you to our Winter Solstice Fundraiser, hosted by Reneu Energy and the Solar Maverick Podcast on Thursday, December 4th from 6–10 PM at Hudson Hall in Jersey City, NJ!
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/reneuenergy/1919391
This event brings together clean energy leaders, entrepreneurs, and friends to celebrate the season while raising funds for the Let’s Share the Sun Foundation, which installs solar and storage systems for families and communities in need in Puerto Rico.
We’ll have:
-Great food and drinks
-Amazing networking with solar and sustainability professionals
-Sports memorabilia auctions (with proceeds benefiting Let’s Share the Sun)
-An inspiring community focused on making an impact through solar energy
If you or your company would like to get involved as a sponsor, please message us at info@reneuenergy.com.
Thursday Nov 13, 2025
Thursday Nov 13, 2025
Solar Dominates 2025 Energy Additions; Nuclear Sees Major Expansion
Welcome to our weekly Renewable Energy Briefing! Stay informed on the latest industry trends.
Episode #38 Briefing Highlights:
-U.S. government and Westinghouse in $80 billion deal for new nuclear power
-Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) in a massive deal to acquire utility giant AES
-New federal report shows solar made up almost three-quarters of all new power in 2025 (19GW)
-Federal government cancels $7 billion for low-income solar; over 20 states are now suing
Solar continues its dominance in 2025, accounting for 19 GW of the 26 GW of new U.S. energy capacity added this year. Meanwhile, the nuclear renaissance accelerates as the U.S. government and Westinghouse announce an $80B deal that reshapes the future of baseload power. Benoy and David break down the biggest transactions—including GIP’s acquisition of AES—and the implications of federal policy changes, such as the Trump administration canceling $7B in solar grants aimed at low-income communities. Get the clean energy insights you need in five minutes.
Join us for a comprehensive analysis that combines expert commentary with up-to-the-minute news, offering you a strategic overview of the renewable energy market. Don't miss out on the crucial details that can impact your investment decisions. Tune in weekly for your essential dose of Renewable Energy insights!
Host Bio: Benoy Thanjan
Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions.
Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla’s Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental
commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market.
As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable portfolio.
Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund.
Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar.
Connect with Benoy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benoythanjan/
Learn more: https://reneuenergy.com
https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com
Host Bio: David Magid
David Magid is a seasoned renewable energy executive with deep expertise in solar development, financing, and operations. He has worked across the clean energy value chain, leading teams that deliver distributed generation and community solar projects. David is widely recognized for his strategic insights on interconnection, market economics, and policy trends shaping the U.S. solar industry.
Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmagid/
If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at info@reneuenergy.com.